RT Journal
A1 RHOADES ER, TOLAND RA, Jr.
T1 PSychodynamic factors in munchausen's syndrome
JF A.M.A. Archives of Internal Medicine
JO A.M.A. Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1959
FD September 1
VO 104
IS 3
SP 427
OP 429
DO 10.1001/archinte.1959.00270090081014
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1959.00270090081014
AB The term "Munchausen's syndrome" was applied by Asher1 to describe a type of bizarre behavior, manifested by recurrent episodes of apparently feigned organic illness or factitious bleeding often associated with multiple surgical scars upon the abdomen, an evasive manner, and a fantastic personal history replete with amazing adventures and extraordinary achievements. Patients with this behavior have been called "peregrinating problem patients" by Chapman 2 because they travel from hospital to hospital causing consternation to the staff. Relatively little has been learned about the syndrome since Asher's report in 1951, and there is a notable lack of published data on possible psychodynamic factors. This is apparently a result of the recalcitrant nature of these patients.The present report describes a patient who displayed the characteristics of Munchausen's syndrome and whose life history provided a basis for an understanding of possible causative factors.Report of Case
The patient was a 34-year-old